With 98.6 percent of the precincts reporting, less than 100 votes separated two others who are vying to be the second person in the July 15 runoff. Provisional ballots are expected to be counted Wednesday.

The other person in the race, Charles Boohaker, had 5,277 votes, or 20.25 percent.

The judge presides over civil court cases - such as negligence lawsuits to contract disputes -- filed in the Birmingham division of Jefferson County. The starting annual pay for the judgeship is $119,948.

The winner of the Democratic primary faces Republican Gloria Bahakel in November's general election. The winner will replace Jefferson County Circuit Judge Tom King Jr., who is retiring.

"I'm just very grateful to God that that many people thought enough of me and put me into the runoff in a leading position," Ballard said Tuesday night.

The race was friendly with no mudslinging, Ballard said. "All four of us have been good friends for a long time," he said.

"I think the fact that the spread is what it is (close) is a testament of the qualification of all four of us," Ballard said.

In the race for the Democratic nomination for Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Place 3, Martin Weinberg defeated Everett Wess. With 98.6 percent of the vote counted, Weinberg had 14,674 votes, or 57.95 percent, and Wess had 10,646 votes or 42.05 percent.

The Place 3 judge presides over criminal cases - felonies such as murder, robbery and theft - filed in the Birmingham division of Jefferson County. The starting annual pay for the judgeship is $119,948.

Weinberg will now face Jefferson County Circuit Judge Bill Cole in November's general election. Cole was unopposed in the Republican Primary.

Daniel A. Crowson defeated Dave Roper for the Republican nomination for Shelby County District Court Place 2.

With 48 of 49 precincts reporting Crowson had received 14,322 votes, or 66.87 percent, while Roper had 7,101 votes, or 33.13 percent.

The winner of the primary at this time does not face opposition in the November general election.

The judge presides over district civil and criminal cases in Shelby County. The starting annual pay for the judgeship is $118,948. The two are vying to replace District Judge Ronald Jackson, who is retiring.